Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee of Conservative MPs, said: "There are some legitimate policy objectives in terms of trying to ensure supply for people buying. It isn't a completely one way issue.

"But on the other hand a lot of people are involved in residential letting. It is a perfectly proper and legitimate business and makes a very important contribution to labour market flexibility and mobility.

"I think there are some quite serious concerns about elements of it [the crackdown]. There are questions about the different treatment of some businesses from others. There are some quite legitimate concerns."

The Chancellor has announced a series of policies targeting buy-to-let landlords in a bid to "level playing-field" between those buying a home to let, and those who are buying a home to live in.

From last April buy-to-let investors face a 3 per cent stamp duty surcharge, and from 2017 they will only be able to claim tax relief on their mortgage payments at the basic rate of 20 per cent.

A Treasury spokeswoman said: "It is right that people should be free to purchase additional properties such as buy-to-lets or a second homes, however this can impact other people’s ability to get on to the property ladder.

“Higher rates of stamp duty on additional properties will help double the affordable housing budget and support even more first time buyers fulfil their ambition of owning their own home.”